Cruising to Bermuda on the Explorer of the Seas, 46-year-old New Jersey resident William Mullen found himself on trial in a Bermuda court under Bermuda law.

Mr Mullen pleaded guilty to five charges stemming from his stealing items valued at $2,799 from the on-board Spa on the cruise-ship; stealing a credit card known as a Sea Express card; and then using that stolen credit card in three transactions to dishonestly acquire goods and services including two bottles of men’s cologne.

The case was uncovered by on-board ship security who detected the transactions between 10th and 12th September. Ship Security staff investigated and handed the matter over to Bermuda Police once the ship was in Bermuda waters on Wednesday 11th September 2012.

After questioning and then confirming that the ship was a Bermuda Registered ship and Bermuda authorities were lawfully able to take action, Senior Magistrate Archie Warner allowed the case to proceed.

Duty Counsel lawyer Lee Holder told the Magistrate that Mr Mullen “yielded to temptations as he walked about the ship”. He said that Mr Mullen had cooperated with police and that he had to “answer to his wife who is sitting in Court”.

Mr Holder also told the Magistrate that: “The ship does not want him back.” He said that Mr Mullen and his wife had been put ashore and now had to find their own way home.

Mr Mullen was convicted and fined $2,000 each on the first two counts resulting in a total fine of $4,000. The Magistrate convicted Mr Mullen on the remaining three counts but inflicted no further penalty. Mr Mullen was required to pay the fines forthwith.

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I guess it didn't occur to this clever thief to check to be sure he wasn't sailing to the ship's flag state. If he had stolen from a ship from some other flag of convenience, I bet he'd just have been kicked off and saved the hassle of appearing in a foreign court and paying a $4000 fine.

True, no further penalty needed. He has to pay $4,000 + pay for his own way home + answer to his wife who's vacation has just been ruined + explain it to all those who will hear about it when he gets home.